Kurt “Beavis” McClung, a Boeing instructor pilot, has achieved a rare milestone in aviation by surpassing 5,000 flight hours in a single aircraft type – the F/A-18 Hornet.
McClung’s journey with the iconic fighter jet began on April 5, 1996, when he first flew the F/A-18C as a U.S. Naval aviator. Now, 26 years later, he continues to fly the Hornet as a Boeing instructor, training pilots from around the world.
According to Elliott Clemence, Boeing’s chief test pilot for fighters and jet trainers, accumulating 5,000 hours in one type of aircraft is “practically unheard of”, even among highly experienced Navy pilots who typically log at least 2,000 flight hours across multiple types.
“To be honest, I’m envious,” said Clemence, who briefly flew with McClung in the U.S. Navy Reserve.
The achievement is even more impressive considering the relatively short duration of fighter jet missions compared to other aircraft like the P-8A Poseidon, which can fly for up to 10 hours. The F/A-18 often completes its mission in less than an hour, and the 5,000-hour tally doesn’t include extensive pre- and post-flight briefings.
Growing up as the son of a TOPGUN commanding officer, McClung had his sights set on flying jets from a young age. After graduating from the U.S. Naval Academy and flight training, he chose the advanced capabilities of the F/A-18 over other options.
Following his military retirement in 2014, McClung joined Boeing as an instructor pilot, teaching new F/A-18 pilots everything from startup procedures to advanced mission tactics.
“I can’t tell you what a dream come true it was to get into the Hornet again,” McClung said. “I fell in love with the job.”
In his seven years at Boeing, McClung has only missed one flight due to an off-duty hand injury. “I don’t like days off. I’d much rather go to work and fly a Hornet than do almost anything else,” he said.
To aspiring fighter pilots, McClung emphasizes the dedication required: “You don’t accidentally become a fighter pilot. You have to make it a goal and keep working at it, because you will 100% hit roadblocks.”
He stresses the importance of practice outside the classroom and maintaining physical fitness to handle the demands of high-G flying.
As he prepares to transition to instructing on another Boeing fighter, the F-15, McClung’s passion for flying remains as strong as ever. “I’ve never turned down a flight,” he said. “I love flying. The more the better.”
